Inspiration vs. Perspiration

Should writers wait for inspiration to strike them before writing and should they write only when inspired? There is much to be said about the power of inspiration that can carry writers like a magic carpet, sailing them toward their goals. Writing while uninspired can be tedious drudgery that is very discouraging, which begs the question: Should you wait for inspiration? Not according to famous writer Jack London who said: "You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." The club he spoke of is the perspiration part of the equation. What he meant is powering through those droughts of inspiration with sheer will and writing anyway. Writers who wait lose because they lose precious writing time that can never be regained. If you wait for inspiration, you may write only rarely or never at all. A true artist keeps producing even when the well is dry, knowing that eventually inspiration will strike again and the going will be easier. Applying yourself to your writing consistently through the power of perspiration or determined effort will keep you on track and steadily writing through the good times and the bad. It will teach you not to let the down times distract you from writing. It will teach you not to make excuses for not writing. Welcome inspiration when it knocks on your door, but don't put your writing life on hold waiting for it to visit you.